Rugby

Gold Cup returns in shot in the arm for club rugby

Following a four-year hiatus, the African Rainbow Gold Cup, which is able to embody 32 groups from throughout South Africa, will start play once more in September. 

The revamped Gold Cup will use a brand-new knockout construction for its return marketing campaign.

Gold Cup returns

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After a four-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 epidemic and different causes, the competitors for finest non-university golf equipment has returned, with African Rainbow Capital stepping in as title sponsor to provide the occasion a brand new identification.

The African Rainbow Gold Cup will embody 32 club groups from all through the continent. Fourteen provinces have nominated two groups apiece, plus one from the Griffons space of affect, with three extra golf equipment invited as wildcard individuals.

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The provincial qualifiers on the North aspect of the draw embody Naka Bulle and Harlequins from the Blue Bulls, Bloemfontein Police and Collegians from the Cheetahs, Welkom Rovers from the Griffons, Rustenburg Impala (nationwide club champions in 2014, 2016, and 2019 – pictured above) and Wolverines from the Leopards, Louis Trichardt and Northam Rhinos from Limpopo, Pirates and Raiders from the Lions, Sasol Secunda and White River from the Pumas; and Springs and Vereeniging from the Valke.

Bella Vista and Saldanha Bay from Boland; Ncera Leopards and Police from Border; PE Harlequins and Progress from Eastern Province; Kimberley and Sishen from Griquas; Crusaders and Heidelberg from South Western Districts; College Rovers and Westville Old Boys from the Sharks; and False Bay (winners in 2017) and Tygerberg from Western Province are amongst the golf equipment in the Southern group.

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Union Milnerton from WP will compete in the North division, whereas Wesbank from Boland and Centurion from the Blue Bulls will compete in the South.

Gold Cup goes to knockout format

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The knockout occasion, just like the FA Cup in English soccer, will happen over 5 weekends. The Round of 32 and Round of 16 will likely be held in the North and South parts, respectively. The most interesting of the North will meet the better of the South starting in the quarter-finals. The closing is ready for 7 October.

“This is an important tournament on our rugby calendar and we’re delighted to be able to confirm a major new partner for the competition,” stated Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“A scarcity of publicity and sponsorship since the creation of professionalism have made issues troublesome for our golf equipment throughout the nation, however regardless of these challenges the native leagues go from power to power as communities flock to grounds to see their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and cousins in motion.

“The new format is an bold new departure for open club rugby in South Africa and to have an organization akin to African Rainbow Capital as our associate is a coup for the match. It underlines our message that club rugby is a necessary a part of the rugby panorama in South Africa and we’re decided to see it flourish.

“Club rugby is one among most necessary issues on our agenda and we consider that the African Rainbow Gold Cup will breathe new life into this degree of the sport.

“With the support of African Rainbow Capital, this tournament will give club players and coaches a competitive platform and an aspirational event through which they can reach their goals.”

Rustenburg Impala carry the Gold Cup. Photo: SA Rugby

Dr Johan van Zyl, co-CEO and Executive Director of African Rainbow Capital, would add: “We are very excited to become involved at club rugby degree in South Africa, as we see this as a chance to make a contribution to the growth and transformation of grassroots rugby in South African communities.

“For African Rainbow Capital, the Gold Cup forms an important part of the local rugby ecosystem and we believe this is an ideal platform to not only uplift the game in different communities, but also to develop new talent.”

Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union who facilitated the sponsorship, added that he’s invcredibly grateful to Johan van Zyl and Patrice Motsepe of African Rainbow Capital for their assist.

“Not only are they incredible investors in professional sport in South Africa, but this also shows their commitment to sport at a grassroots level, in this case in rugby, which is incredibly important to almost 1,200 rugby clubs in South Africa, this is incredibly important,” stated Strauss.


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